Faith Books For Young Readers

Saturday

Dec 21, 2002 at 2:23 AM

By BILL WILLIAMSThe Hartford Courant

Parents and relatives looking for a children's holiday gift might consider one of the many books with a spiritual theme published this fall. Among worthy titles reflecting a variety of faiths and styles are the following.

"Let There Be Light: Poems and Prayers for Repairing the World," compiled and illustrated by Jane Breskin Zalben, Dutton, $15.99, 32 pp., ages 5 and up.

Jane Breskin Zalben says she set out "to make a book that would wrap readers in comfort like a warm quilt as it helped them understand and appreciate each other's similarities and differences." Evocative artwork complements a diverse collection of prayers drawn from various religions and teachers, such as Francis of Assisi ("Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace") and the Dalai Lama ("May the weak find power, And may their hearts join in friendship").

"Jewish Holidays All Year Round," by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Elivia Savadier, Abrams, $18.95, 80 pages, all ages. Ilene Cooper, a prolific children's author, has crafted a magnificent introduction to 13 Jewish holidays. She provides clear explanations of the history, legends and customs associated with each holiday. We learn about Rosh Hashana, Hanukkah and Passover, and about lesser-known celebrations such as Tu B'Shevat (honoring trees), Yom Ha-Shoah (the Holocaust) and Yom Ha'aztma'ut (the founding of Israel).

Cooper's clear writing brings each holiday to life. Included are activities, crafts and recipes, making this an ideal family book. It also is a valuable introduction for people of all religions who want to learn more about the Jewish faith.

Patricia Polacco has a deserved reputation for her many fine stories of family life. In this warm tale, a minister and his family have just finished repairing an old church in Detroit in time for Christmas, when a water leak damages the sacristy wall. In a series of coincidences, the family discovers an old tapestry to cover the spot. When an elderly woman who made the tapestry a half century ago in Germany sees it, she is overcome with emotion. She had used the cloth in her wedding, just before Nazis seized her husband. It turns out that he, too, survived the Holocaust and is also living in Detroit. The story ends on a joyous note as the two are reunited.

Poems about pigs, fish, frogs, whales, birds, dogs and cats grace this inviting collection. Included are well-known writers such as Jane Yolen, Rudyard Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as lesser-known contributors, among them some children. It would have helped if Cotner had provided a few lines of biography about each poet. Illustrations in soft colors nicely complement the text.

This charming tale is based on an incident in the life of Martin De Porres, a Dominican lay brother and Catholic saint renowned for his work with the poor in Lima, Peru. In the story, mice begin eating the priory's cheese and gnawing holes in clothing. When the prior decides the mice must go, Martin tells his tiny friends that if they agree to move to the barn and not disturb the priory, he will bring them food each day. The pictures of the mice are a delight.

Peter Collington's "A Small Miracle" was a hit when it was published five years ago. When booksellers named it as the book they most regretted going out of print, the publisher decided to bring it back. The story, which unfolds in intricately drawn panels, involves a lonely woman who repairs a church manger scene knocked over by a thief. The figurines then spring to life and prepare an unforgettable Christmas celebration for the woman.

Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund, has written a collection of prayers for every occasion. Although this is a beautifully designed book filled with vivid drawings of children, the orientation is to minority children and inner-city circumstances. Virtually every illustration shows a minority face. Many of the prayers deal with themes common to all children, such as gratitude, fear and hope, but a large number also deal with stronger themes such as AIDS, guns and spousal abuse. One begins, "God, My friend got shot today. It could have been me."

Edelman has impeccable credentials as someone who understands the lives of city children, but her choice of prayers may limit the book's reach. Parents might want to use the material selectively, determining first which prayers apply to their children's circumstances.

Hans Christian Andersen wrote many classic stories, including this tale of a poor girl in rags who tries to sell matches at Christmas to earn money. Busy shoppers ignore her. Finally, the freezing child lights the matches one at a time to keep warm, until she finally succumbs to the cold and ascends to Heaven. The book's gorgeous illustrations and San Jose's sensitive retelling will capture young imaginations.

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